With their recent Instagram video, Strictly Come Dancing champions Ellie Leach and Vito Coppola have fans persuaded that a romance has surely grown during their time on the programme.
Last Saturday, the Coronation Street actress, 22, and professional dancer, 31, won the glitterball trophy, defeating Layton Williams and Nikita Kuzmin and Bobby Brazier and Dianne Buswell.
After teasing signs that the famed Strictly curse had struck for the first time this series, relationship whispers swirled around the duo during their time on Strictly.
Ex-Strictly Come Dancing participant Amanda Abbington gave the first indication weeks ago, ostensibly confirming the duo were an official relationship, and they were subsequently seen getting very personal.
While they haven’t formally responded to the claims, their most recent Instagram video has people persuaded.
In it, the two reminisce about their last time in the training room while cuddling.
‘I have had the most incredible journey with the most incredible partner,’ Ellie says, while Vito declares how proud he is of the woman she’s become.
Tearing up, she goes on to thank all the fans for support, saying how grateful she is.
Captioning the video, Vito wrote: ‘A week ago, today, we got emotional after our last rehearsal…and we are more than happy to share this special moment with you all, beautiful people. 🙌
‘There are no words to describe all the feelings and the emotions…it’s just this.’
Fans have flooded to the comments with their relationship prediction, with Instagram user @emma.christine.1654 writing: ‘These two are deffo together I’m sure of it.’
@donnamariennewton added: ‘Is it just me who was waiting for a we’re besotted with each other kinda post.’
‘I thought you were going announce you’re love for each other!! And that you’re official !’ @petercaulfield said.
Others echoed the sentiment while some fans defended their privacy, with @lorhale0509 writing: ‘Who cares let them have their private stuff xxx.’
@sharon9510 added: ‘I wish everyone just let them enjoy the connection they have without pressure from people wanting them to put a label on it.’
Meanwhile @inyourfur said: ‘I’ve never felt more invested in a couples friendship/relationship. I love you both so much. Now just get married……. Please?’
This occurs after Vito made a significant announcement to Ellie before to their victory.
Speaking ahead of the final, Vito admitted, when asked if they’re paying attention to the rumours: ‘We’re so into the rehearsals all day, we have so many things to think about, and choreography, and lifts, up, down, left, right.
‘And after we finish we have the time to eat fast enough, and then we nap a little bit because we need the energy to continue the rehearsals. After, we go home, and we just say, “Let’s make sure we eat and go to sleep”, because the next day we have to be back again, so we really are so focused on this beautiful experience.
‘Words can’t describe how much we’re really enjoying every single day, every single rehearsal, every single second of this amazing Strictly,’
We’re fatigued just thinking about it! But Vito made it obvious that the couple had no time for gossip.
However, Ellie did admit how much ‘faith’ she had in her partner, while he declared her to be his ‘winner’.
As they prepare for the final, Ellie recalls the event as ‘a dream,’ and how she already feels as if she has won.
Turning to Vito, she said: ‘To have had this experience, I already feel like I’ve won, and with you, as a teacher and partner, I genuinely do feel like I’ve won.
‘Obviously it would be nice to win, but coming into Strictly I just wanted to have fun and enjoy every single moment, and that’s exactly what we’ve done.
‘So if we win, amazing, if we don’t win, still amazing, I’ve had the most incredible experience.’
‘She’s my winner since day one, and the way she’s improved, she’s worked so hard’ Vito replied back, adding: ‘Really, you have been every single week the winner, my winner, our winner of our couple, and I’m sure all your family and all the people that love you are proud.’
Strictly Come Dancing is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.
